Fasting Glucagon Level in Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Its Association With Diabetes-Associated Clinical Parameters: A Study From Karachi, Pakistan

Aim and objective The study aims to analyze fasting glucagon in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance and correlate it with anthropometric and biochemical parameters in a large proportion of Pakistani people with diabetes. Methodology The participants of the study were categorized into three groups based on oral glucose tolerance test, as per American Diabetes Association guidelines. Group A consisted of normal glucose tolerance subjects (n=30), Group B consisted of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (n=30), and Group C had full-blown subjects with type 2 diabetes (n=30). Biochemical parameters, such as fasting glucagon, fasting plasma and 2-hour glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile, and anthropometric parameters, such as body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were measured. Results The mean values of fasting glucagon level in Group A, Group B, and Group C were 39.24 +/- 4.5, 44.5 +/- 8.25, and 49.02 +/- 9.15 pg/ml, respectively. Statistically significant difference was not found in fasting glucagon level among these groups (p-value 0.614). Fasting glucagon was positively and independently correlated with 2-hour plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, hip and waist circumference, and hip-to-waist ratio in Group C. In Group B, fasting glucagon was positively correlated with 2-hour plasma glucose, BMI, and hip circumference, while it was not correlated with fasting plasma glucose in both groups. In Group A, fasting glucagon found positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and hip circumference. Conclusion Our observation suggests that fasting plasma glucose is not concomitant with glucagon levels; however, glucagon suppression, after glucose intake, was dysregulated in type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Moreover, glucagon is associated with central obesity in type 2 diabetic patients.

Automated summary

This study analyzed fasting glucagon levels in Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, finding positive correlations with 2-hour plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, hip and waist circumference, and hip-to-waist ratio in the diabetic group.